Concept2 Forum

Hello, this is my first topic on the Concept2 Forum, and it seems like a very helpful message board in my exploration of it so far.<br /><br />I just finished my sophmore year of rowing, and I am going into my junior year. My 2k PB is 6:56.1 as it is right now. I have not done a 2k since early May, which was the date of my PB. Roughly 3 weeks ago, I attended the Princeton Rowing Camp (which I would be willing to suggest to anybody who's looking for a structure opportunity to improve). Since I've returned, I've been adament about improving my time.<br /><br />Since I returned 2 weeks ago, I've spent every day, Monday through Friday, doing an hour piece on the erg. I've been slowly approaching the 15k mark, but sadly, the lowest my split has averaged out to is 2:01.7. I'm still working on it, however. My coach wants me to see how my 2k has improved since the end of the season, so he's asking me to do one by the end of July. I am planning on finish out this week doing the same hour-piece-per-day deal. Next week, I plan to work on sprints and on-off pieces Monday through Thursday. On Friday, I figured I'd drag my favorite cox out of bed and get her to cox a 2k of mine. <br /><br />Is there anything until next Friday I should be doing to train differently? Thank you for any suggestions.

Best thing to do in the few days before a 2k is rest and maybe do some sprints (up to 500m) to see what your pace, race plan etc could be. Too late for any training that might change CV fitness levels, but what you've been doing is fine.<br /><br />What was your HR during the 60' pulls? According to current wisdom, we train not to pace but to HR band, using HR range. <br /><br />Failing a coaches programme, the Interactive offers lots of details on what to do in the last few weeks before a race:<br /><a href='http://www.concept2.co.uk/training/interactive.php' target='_blank'>http://www.concept2.co.uk/training/interactive.php</a>

<!--QuoteBegin-Poochy818+Jul 12 2005, 05:16 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Poochy818 @ Jul 12 2005, 05:16 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Is there anything until next Friday I should be doing to train differently? Thank you for any suggestions. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Given that you're going to try for a 2k pb shortly:<br /><br />1) You've spent a lot of time on baseline cardio improvement i.e. endurance, so there's little point in further efforts on that front.<br /><br />2) Given that there's a big difference between the emotional and physical demands of a 2km race and a 1hr training piece, your idea to work on speed is appropriate.<br /><br />3) But I'm with <b>jamesg</b> on this one i.e. stop all training at least 2 days before trying for your PB - by that stage you will have done all you possibly can to improve your ability. You're about to ask your body to work harder over a 2km distance than it's ever done before, and so your body will need that 2 or so days to rest up & ensure it's got enough fuel it!<br />

<!--QuoteBegin-jamesg+Jul 12 2005, 06:50 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(jamesg @ Jul 12 2005, 06:50 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->According to current wisdom, we train not to pace but to HR band, using HR range. <br /><br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I would not agree with this statement at all ... there is a substantial difference of opinion on using HR to guide training. I believe many of the best ergers (if that is a word) do not use HR to drive training ... they use pace.<br /><br />I have been working with my daughter for 3 years of training plans and the only use I have found for HR is getting a starting point for a new workout and confirming overtaining situations.<br /><br />Her workout plan for college rowing did not include HR in the mix except for one specific type of workout.<br /><br />Better to get a plan, baseline the workouts and then each time you do a specific workout do it a little faster than last time. With 10 days or so to a trail I have no great ideas. With 6-8 weeks to go I would be a strong proponent of 4x1K workouts once a week. I have seen these takes seconds off a 2k time very quickly!<br /><br />JimR<br />